Richard Caring, the owner of such London landmarks as The Ivy and Annabel's, has raised eyebrows by supporting his friend Scot Young, who is the subject of a highly acrimonious divorce in the High Court. Now, he has decided to explain why.

By Richard Eden

10:50PM BST 17 Oct 2009

"He's not a bad guy and I think that he's being vilified," Caring tells Mandrake. "I have known him for many years and he came to see me.

"If you can help out, that is what old friends do. I have lent him £50,000. It's for whatever he wants to use it for, whether it is legal fees or anything."

Young's wife, Michelle, claims that the former "fixer" for Russian oligarchs is concealing his fortune.

Caring says carefully: "I don't know about his finances. The only thing I can say is: 'Why would he come to me looking rather dishevelled?' I hadn't seen him for about three of four years until now."

In June, Young was ordered by the judge to disclose his finances or face six months in prison for contempt of court.